Chop bar operator convicted for operating without a medical certificate

The Hohoe Magistrate Court has sentenced Regina Zaku, a chop bar operator to a fine of GH?420.00 for operating without a medical certificate of fitness.

Regina pleaded guilty and was convicted on her own plea.

She would serve three months imprisonment in default of paying the fine.

Prosecuting, Mr. Frank Azila-Gbettor, Chief Environmental Health Assistant at the Hohoe Municipal Assembly told the court presided over by Mr. Peter Anongdare that, the accused was a chop bar operator at Hohoe-Ahado.

He said on August 29, 2019, at about 1000 hours, Environmental Health Officers visited the accused’s chop bar and having inspected her premises requested to inspect her medical certificate of fitness and also enquired if she had undergone medical screening as required by law.

The Prosecution said the accused failed to produce the documents and was educated and advised to undergo medical screening for two weeks and report to the officer for inspection.

Mr. Azila-Gbettor said the officers made a follow up on October 9, 2019, and realised that the accused has failed to comply with the directives given her by the officers.

He said on February 10, 2020, a team of Environmental Health Officers visited the accused’s chop bar again where she rained insults on them and also said that she was not the only person selling food without a medical certificate of fitness and that the accused’s behaviour could lead to an outbreak of diseases.

The court also upheld an application by the prosecution to stop the accused from preparing food for the public until she undergoes medical screening.